Cutter chain



June 3G, E936.

Filed March 30, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .m w R ww m. w /a 2 I N w l 2%..l.; I 1ML a, l 1 5m Wn@ l 7 m w/ l 1 l rt /q z m w 4 a. /H ..-W l q o ll 75 I. .V s 2.2,/ .--#Ww. ..........u,.....m. .N 2N, E l lil; m M). mM. |II||| Ihr. I Ina: .IFHHL l Wm f M .w 5 4 June 3G, 1936.

Filed March 30, 1935 A. l.. LEE 2,046,024

CUTTER CHAIN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented June 30, 1936 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates to a cutter chain for use on coal miningmachinery.

There is great advantage, particularly in cutter chains required toperform diiiicult cutting operations in coal mining, that there shouldbe sprocket tooth engagement in heavy links comprised in the chain.Sprocket tooth engagement in all the links of the chain, including boththe bit-carrying links and the connecting links, relo suits in producinga smooth running chain, in which the chain does not tend to sag, or tojump or buckle, away from the cutter bar which carries it. Thedimensions of cutter chain links have, however, become standardized,rendering it a difficult matter to provide for the reception of sprocketteeth in both the bit-carrying links and the connecting links, whileretaining a sturdy, integral construction of both types of link.

The object-of my invention is to provide a go smooth running cutterchain of standard dimensions and adequate strength, by cooperatively soforming bit-carrying links and connecting links that a sprocket toothreceiving throat is formed in both the bit-carrying links and in theconnect- 5 ing links, while leaving substantial masses of' metal in thesaid links.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. I is a side elevation, showing atypical fragment of a cutter chain made in accordance with my invention,

.30 and a corresponding fragment of a sprocket wheel, illustrating thecooperation between the cutter chain and the Sprocket wheel.

Fig. II is a plan View of the bit-carrying link shown in the fragmentaryassembly of Fig. I, the cutter pick, or bit, carried by the link beingomitted for clearness of illustration.

Fig. III is a vertical section through the bitcarrying link, and the bitcarried thereby, taken on. the line III-III of Fig. I.

Fig. IV is a plan view of a connecting link as included in thefragmentary assembly of Fig. I.

Fig. V is an end elevation of the connecting link shown in Fig. IV.

Fig. VI is a horizontal section through the con- '15 necting link, asshown in Figs. IV and V, taken on the line VI- -VI of Fig. V.

Fig. VII is a vertical, sectional view through a bit-carrying link,similar to the showing of Fig. III; this figure of the drawings omits,however,

5U the cutter bit, and is illustrative of one of the centralbit-carrying links in the kerf cutting spread of the chain, rather thanillustrative of one of the exterior links of the chain, as shown in Fig.III.

Fig. VIII is a side elevation, showing in a manner similar to that inFig. I a fragment of a cutter chain made in accordance with myinvention, and a cooperating fragment of a sprocket Wheel, the cutterchain as shown in Fig. VIII being, however, composed of a plurality ofhermaphroditic bit-carrying links and connecting links, rather than anassociation of male connecting links and female bit-carrying links, asshown in Fig. I and the other preceding figures of the drawings.

Fig. IX is a vertical sectional view through a bit-carrying link, andits pivotal connection with an adjacent connecting link, taken on theline IX-IX of Fig. VIII.

Fig. X is an end elevation of one of the connecting links viewed fromthe position of the line X-X of Fig. VIII.

Referring to Figs. I to VI inclusive of the drawings, reference numerall designates generally a -sprocket wheel, arranged to cooperate with acutter chain composed of bit-carrying links 2 and connecting links il.yPivotal yoke and eye connection is provided between a link of each type,and the two adjacent links of the other type. As shown in these figuresof the drawings, each of the bit-carrying links 2 has at the endsthereof yokes 4, comprising two spaced members arranged to embrace eyes5 carried terminally by the connecting links.

Yokes` 4 are perforated cooperatively with the perforations in the eyesy5, and as shown they are pivotally interconnected by the pin connectiondisclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 733,370, filed June 2,1934, and in the division thereof, Serial No. 14,873, led April 5, 1935.Such connection, briefly described, comprises a hardened pin passedthrough matching openings in the yoke and eye, and having in a centralbore thereof a heavy wire l deflected exteriorly of the yoke to lieterminally in matching grooves in the pin and in the yoke.

It will be noticed the drawings show that both the bit-carrying linksand the connecting links are of integral construction. In thebit-carrying link there is a sprocket tooth receiving throat 8, theformation of which will be hereinafter described, which lies betweenside elements 9 of the link, and which is overlaid by a pick receivingboss IIJ bridging between the side elements 9. The connecting link hastherein a sprocket tooth receiving throat, or recess, il, lying betweenside elements I2 and overlaid by a bridging mass of metal I3. Fig. Ishows theextension of a. sprocket tooth la into the sprocket tooththroat a of the v bit-carrying link, and into the sprocket toothreeeiving throat II of the connecting link.

Considering the bit-carrying link independently and specifically, thislink consists primarily of the side elements 9, which are spaced fromeach other throughout their entire length, and the bit-receiving bosswhich bridges between these side elements to integrate the structure.Bitcarrying boss I0 has therein a bit-receiving bore I5 for receiving acutter bit, or pick, I6, and a threaded iongitudinally extending boreI'I to receive locking screw I8 for the cutter bit. At the lower edgesof the side elements 9 of the bit-carrying links are arranged lateralflanges or gibs I9 for engaging gooves in the chain guide forming partof a standard cutter arm.

Upwardly of the gibs I9 the side walls are perfcrated at 20, to providefor the ejection ci parti-culate foreign material from the link.riransversely arranged at each of these side openings is a bar 2 I,which separates the sprocket throat from the upper interior portion 22within the link, in which the butt of the cutter bit extends. Theprimary function of this Atransverse bar 2i is to prevent the entry of abroken port-ion of a cutter bit into the sprocket throat of thebit-carrying link, since such intrusion would tend to unseat the chainfrom its sprocket, and would tend to injure the sprocket teeth. Ifdesired, this transverse bar 2| may be notched to receive a butt edge ofthe cutter bit, and thereby give support tc the butt of the cutter bitin effective alignment with the cutter bit bore I5.

In each bit-carrying link, the sprocket tooth throat is dened by thearcuate surfaces 5a of the connecting link eyes 5. As pivotallyconnected with the yokes 4 of the bit-carrying link, the connecting linkeyes project between the side members 9 of the bit-carrying link suchdistance that their surfaces 5a form a throat of suitable size andcontour to receive one of the sprocket teeth I4. It may be here notedthat the arms of yokes 4. formed at the opposite ends of thebit-carrying link, have thereon outwardly presented edge faces 4a, whichare formed on a ra- (ilus less than that on which the faces 5a of theconnecting link eyes are`formed.

In each connecting link, the sprocketl tooth throat is defined by theside elements I2 of the connecting link, by the bridging mass of .metalwhich overlies the sprocket tooth throat, which interconnects the sideelements i2, and by the inwardly presented edge faces 5b ci' theconnecting link eyes. The inwardly presented arcuate faces 5b of theconnecting link eyes, are formed on the same radius as that on which are.formed the outwardly presented edge faces 5a of the eyes, which providesprocket tcoth bearing surfaces in the bit-carrying links. 'I'hesprocket tooth throats are thus uniform throughout the several links ofthe chain.

The central, or body, portion or' each .connecting link comprises theside elements I2, the bridging region I3, and, as will be explained, azone comprised within the conformation of eye 5. At the base of thatportion of each of the eyes 5 which is of decreased width, there is avertically disposed edge face 24, formed in the body region of theconnecting link. Throughout an intermediate portion of its height, eachof these edge faces 24 is arcuate, and is formed on a radiussubstantially less than that on which the faces 5a and 5b of the yeke 5are formed. The arcuate A ate faces on thearms of the yokes 4, whicharcuate faces 4a are also formed en a radius less than the edge faces onthe eyes 5.

It will be noted that at the base of each eye, in the region of thesprocket tooth throat, there is thus a transverse wall 25 which forms ineffect a portion of the eye. This wall is defined by the difference inradius of the eye faces 5a, and the arcuate portion of the region 24 atthe base of each eye, or, otherwise expressed, by the difference inradius between the edge faces of the eyes 5 and the edge faces of theyokes 4. transverse wall 25, formed by the differential radii, serves tointegrate the eyes 5 of the connecting link with theqcentral, or body,portion of the connecting link. Since in use of the lchain, the greateststress is encountered at that wall of the sprocket throat which liesforwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the chain, theintegration of the eyes with the body of the link in this region, andthe apportionment ofparts effecting this integration, are of primaryimportance.-

Desirably, each of the connecting links is provided with a bore 26,which extends vertically of the link from the upper surface of thebridging region I3 to the sprocket tooth opening in the link. Thisopening 26 provides passage for dirt and cuttings in a direction awayfrom the sprocket. Desirably, each connecting link 4 is also providedwith laterally extending anges, or gibs, 21.

Referring to Figs. VIII to X inclusive of the drawings, the cutterchain, and its elements. therein shown, is identical in principle withthe cutter chain structure shown in the preceding figures of thedrawings. of chain, however, both the bit-carrying links 3E and theconnecting links 3l are hermaphrodite links, each being formed toprovide an eye at one terminal and a yoke at its opposite terminal.Otherwise the structure of each of the links is closely similar to thestructure of the links shown in Figs. I to VII inclusive.

Consi-:lering first the forward one of the connecting links 3i, shown tothe right in Fig. VIII, this link carries an eye 32 at its rearwardterminal, and a yoke 33 at its forward terminal. As will be seen, thearcuate region in each of the vertically disposed4 yoke-accommodatingfaces 34 is formed on a lesser radius than the outwardly presented edgeface 32a of the eye, and the inwardly presented face 32h of the eye.'I'he lesser radius of faces 34 is adequate to accommodate a yoke 35 onthe next succeeding bit-carrying link which is identical with the yoke33 on the connecting link shawn, and has, therefore, edge faces formedon a radius less than the radii on which the edge faces '32a and 32h ofthe eye are formed. This difference in radii leaves at the base of theeye a transverse wall 36, which extends the full 'Width of thebody'region 41 of the connecting connecting link 3i which follows thebit-carryingh link 3E, is formed to present edge faces 33a which Vareformed on a radius less than that on which the faces ofthe eye 32 areformed, and on a radius equal to that on whichthe edge faces 35a of theyoke 35 are formed. This yoke 33 embraces an eye 3l at the rearwardextremity of the bit-carrying link 30, which is identical in thepresentation of inward and outward faces to eyes 32 of the connectinglinks. The. rearward face of the sprocket throat in bit-carrying link 30is, therefore, provided by the inwardly presented edge face 31a of thiseye. Also, arcuate faces 38, formed in the side elements 39 of thebit-carrying link, are formed on a lesser radius than that upon whichthe edge face 31a of the bit-carrying eye 31 is formed. Similarly, thisleaves in the bit-carrying link at the base of the eye 31 thereof, atransverse wall 40, integrating the eye 31 with the side elements 39.The presence of this wall 4U is similarly due to difference in radiusbetween the edge faces 33a of yoke 33, and the edge face 31a of eye 31.

It should be understood that, if desired, a bitcarrying link may beprovided at both terminals with eyes, and the connecting link may beprovided at both terminals with yokes. Such structure is somewhat lessadvantageous, however, for the reason that it would necessitateshortening the gibs of the bit-carrying links. If both eyes be carriedby the bit-carrying links, it is possible, though not preferredstructure, to form the connecting link of two separate strap elementsjoined by their pinned connection to the eyes of the bitcarrying links.In such case, of course, the effect of the differential radii, inobtaining an integrating wall at the base of each eye becomes applicablewholly to the bit-carrying links.

It may be noted that, in providing a sprocket throat in each chain link,of both types, I have avoided difficulty in providing clearance withinthe bit-carrying links between the sprocket teeth and the butt of thecutter bit. This is for the reason that I have appreciated the fact thatl need not employ a sprocket having a standard length of tooth thereon.Since I project a sprocket tooth into every link of the chain, ratherthan every alternate link of the chain, the use of short sprocket teethprovides at any one time adequate body of sprocket tooth metal withinthe chain, and adequate area of sprocket tooth bearing within the chain.In fact, additionally to providing a smooth running chain, my inventionalso serves to .reduce wear upon, and breakage of, sprocket teeth.

It should be noted that my construction provides a short-coupled chain,in which the pitch line between sprocket tooth centers is renderedunusually short. This is effected in my construction by receiving anincreased number of sprocket teeth into the chain at any one time,without extending the length of the chain links beyond standarddimensions.

Since the total effective sprocket tooth area within the chain is, asabove explained, increased o substantially by increasing the number ofteeth effective, a proportion of such possible area may, if desired, beresolved into side wall thickness of' the links. Maintaining standardoverall link width, the side wall thickness may be increased,

without disadvantageously subtracting from the total effective area ofcontact between the sprocket teeth and the connecting links.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a cutter chain comprising bit-carrying links and connecting linksvalternatelyA arranged and having yoke and eye connection therebetween; acombined structure of integral bitcarrying links and integral connectinglinks both types'of link having a sprocket tooth receiving recessextending upwardly from the bottom thereol'liiamd curved surfaces ofequal radius forming forward rnd rearward edges on each eye to providein the sprocket tooth recess of each link sprocket tooth bearing), theyokes embracing the eyes of the chain having their edge faces formed ona shorter radius than that on which the edge faces of the eyes areformed, thereby diminishing at the base of each eye deletion of metalnecessary to give clearance within the width of the link for the legs ofthe yoke embracing the eye.

2. In a cutter chain comprising bit-carrying links and connecting linksalternately arranged and having pivotal yoke and eye connectiontherebetween; a combined structure of integral bitcarrying links andintegral connecting links, both types of link having a sprocket toothreceiving recess extending upwardly from the bottom thereof, curvedsurfaces of equal radius forming forward and rearward edges on each eyeto provide in the sprocket tooth recess of each link sprocket toothbearing, the yokes for embracing the eyes of the chain having their edgesurfaces formed on a shorter radius than that on which the edge faces ofthe eyes are formed, and a zone at the base of each eye and defined bythe difference in radius between edge surfaces of yoke and eyeintegrating the eye with side walls of the link defined by the sprockettooth recess therein.

3.' In a cutter chain comprising bit-carrying links and connecting linksalternately arranged and having pivotal yoke and eye connectiontherebetween; a combined structure of bit-carrying links, and integralconnecting links, both types of link having a sprocket tooth receivingrecess extending upwardly from the bottom thereof, each connecting linkhaving at each end thereof an eye with a yoke-engaging region of lesserwidth than the widthof the link body and presenting both outwardly andin the sprocket tooth recess of the link curved edge surfaces of equalradius, whereby in assembly of the chain the eyes of the connectinglinks provide sprocket tooth bearing surfaces in the recesses both ofthe bit-carrying links and the connecting links; yokes at each end ofeach bit-carrying link for embracing the eyes of the connecting linksand having their edge surfaces formed on a shorter radius than that onwhich the connecting link eyes are formed, and a zone at the base ofeach connecting link eye defined by the difference in radius between theedge surfaces of yoke and eye integrating the eye with side walls of theconnecting link defined by the sprocket tooth recess therein.

4. In a cutter chain comprising bit-carrying links and connecting linksalternately arranged and having pivotal yoke and eye connectiontherebetween; a combined structure of integral bit-carrying links andintegral connecting links,

both types of link having a sprocket tooth receiving recess extendingupwardly from the bottom thereof, each link of both types having on oneend thereof an eye of a width less than the full width-of the link andon the other end thereof a yoke arranged to embrace the eye of anadjacent link; each eye being formed to present inwardly of the sprockettooth recess of the link a curved edge surface giving sprocket toothbearing therein and to present outwardly thereof a curved edge surfacedefining the sprocket tooth recess in an adjacent link, said curved edgesurfaces being of equal radius, curved edge surfaces on the yoke of eachlink formed on a lesser radius than that on which the edge surfaces ofthe eye are formed;

and a zone at the base of each eye defined by the difference in radiusbetween the eye and its associated yoke integrating the eye with sidewalls of the link dened by the sprocket tooth recess therein.

5. In a cutter chain comprising bit-carrying faces of equal radius,whereby in assembly of the f links and connecting links alternatelyarranged and having pivotal yoke and eye connection therebetween; acombined structure of integral bit-carrying links and integralconnecting links, both types of link having a sprocket tooth recessextending upwardly froml the bottom thereof, a bridging mass of metaloverlying the sprocket tooth recess in both the bit-carrying link and inthe connecting link, each link of both types having at one end thereofan eye cfa width less than the full width of the link and at the otherend thereof a yoke arranged to embrace the eye of an adjacent link; eacheye being formed to present inwardly of the sprocket tooth recess of thelink a curved edge surface giving sprocket tooth bearing therein and topresent outwardly thereof a curved edge surface defining the sprockettooth recess in an adjacent link, said curved edge surfaces being ofequal radius.

6. In a cutter chain comprising bit-carrying links and connecting linksalternately arranged and having pivotal yoke and eye connectiontherebetween; a combined structure of integral bit-carryinglinks andintegral connecting links, both types of link having a sprocket toothreceiving recess extending upwardly from the bottom thereof, eachconnecting link having at each end thereof an eye with a yoke-engagingregion of lesser width than the width of the link body and presentingboth outwardly and in the sprocket tooth recess of the link curved edgesur.

chain the eyes of the connecting links provide sprocket tooth bearingsin the recesses both of the bit-carrying links and the connecting links;and yokes at each end of each bit-carrying link for embracing each aneye on two adjacent connecting links,the yokes for embracing the eyeshaving their edge surfaces formed on a shorter radius than that on whichthe edge faces of the eyes are formed, thereby diminishing at the baseof each eye deletion of metal necessary to provide space within thewidth of` the connecting link for the legs'of the yoke embracing theeye.

7. In a cutter chain comprising bit-carrying links and connecting linksalternately arranged and having pivotal yoke and eye connectiontherebetween; a combined structure of integral bit-carrying links andintegral connecting links, both types of link having a sprocket toothreceiving recess extending upwardly from the bottom thereof, each linkof both types having at one endthereof an eye of a. width less than thefull width of the link and at the other end thereof a yoke arranged toembrace the eye of an adjacent link; each eye being formed to presentinwardly of the sprocket tooth recess of the link a curved edge surfacegiving sprocket tooth bearing therein and to present outwardly thereof acurved surface deflning'the sprocket tooth recessin an adjacent link,said curved edge surfaces being of equal radius; the legs of the saidyokes having curved edge surfaces'formed on a lesser radius than that onwhich the edge surfaces of the eyes are formed, thereby diminishing atthe base of each eye deletion of metal necessary to provide space withinthe width of the link for the legs of the yoke embracing the eye.

8. In a cutter chain comprising bit-carrying links and connecting linksalternately arranged and having pivotal yoke and eye' connectiontherebetween; acombined structure of integral bit-carrying links andconnecting links, both such types of link being adapted to receive asprocket tooth thereinto, the connecting eyes of said chain being oflesser width than the full body width of the link of which they formpart and having both inwardly and outwardly prel sented` curved edgesurfaces of equal radius prothe link whichcarries the eye.

9. In a cutter chain comprising bit-carrying links and connecting linksalternately arranged and having pivotal yoke and eye connectiontherebetween; a combined structure comprising an integral bit-carryinglink having an eye at one end at least of said link, and a connectinglink constructed to provide yoke elements for embracing said eye, bothof said links being adapted to receive a sprocket tooth thereinto, theconnecting eye of said chain being of lesser width than the width of thelink which carries it, said eye presenting both outwardly and inwardlyof the link curved surfaces of equal radius providing in the chainsprocket tooth bearing, the yoke elements presenting curved edgesurfaces formed on a radius shorter than that on which the edgesurfacesvof the eye are formed, and a zone at the base of the saideye-delined by the diierence in radius between the edge face of the eyeand the edge face of its associated yoke elements integrating the eyetransversely with the body of the link which carries the eye.

10. In ,a cutter chain comprising bit-carrying links and connectinglinks alternately arranged and having pivotal yoke and eye connectiontherebetween; a combined structure of bit-carrying links and connectinglinks, both such types of link being adapted to receive a sprocket tooththereinto, the connecting eyes of said chain being of lesser width thanthe full body width of the link of which they form part and having bothinwardly and outwardly presented curved edge surfaces of equal radiusproviding in the chain sprocket tooth bearing, the yoke elementspresenting vcurved edge surfaces formed on a radius shorter than that onwhich the edge surfaces of the eyes are formed, thereby diminishing atthe base of each eye deletion of metal necessary to give clearancewithin the width of the link for the legs of the yoke embracing the eye.11. In a cutter chain comprising bit-carrying links and connecting linksalternately arranged and having pivotal yoke and eye connectiontherebetween; a combined structure comprising a bit-carrying link havingan eye at one end at necting eye being of lesser width than the width ofthe link which carries it, said eye presenting both outwardlyandinwardly of the link curved surfaces of equal radius providing in thechain sprocket tooth bearing, vthe yoke elements presenting curved edgesurfaces formed on a radius shorter than that on which the edge surfacesof the eye are formed, thereby diminishing at the base of each eyedeletion of metal necessary to give clearance within the width of thelink for the legs of the yoke embracing the eye.

12 In a cutter chainV constructed for propulsion in one direction andcomprising bit-carrying links and connecting links alternately arrangedand having pivotal yoke and eye connection therebetween; a combinedstructure of bit-carrying links and connecting links, both such types oflink being adapted to receive a sprocket tooth thereinto, the connectingeyes of said chainbeing of lesser width than the full body width of thelinks of which they form part and having both inwardly and outwardlypresented edge surfaces, the said edge surfaces presented counter to thedirection of chain travel for the direct exertion of driving force bythe sprocket teeth thereon being curved surfaces of equal radius and theexterior surfaces presented by the yoke elements being formed on ashorter radius, the

"said shorter radius of the yoke elements diminishing at the base ofeach eye deletion of metal necessary to give clearance within the linkfor the legs of the yoke embracing the eye.

13. In a cutter chain constructed for propulsion in one direction andcomprising bit-carrying links and connecting links alternately arrangedand having pivotal yoke and eye connection therebetween; a combinedstructure comprising bit-carrying links each having an eye at one end atleast of the link, connecting links terminally cooperative with thebit-carrying links and providing each at one end at least thereof yokeelements for embracing the eye of a bitcarrying link, both such types oflink being adapted to receive a sprocket tooth thereinto, the eyesthroughout the chain being of lesser Width than the full body of thelinks of which they form part and having both inwardly and outwardlypresented edge surfaces, the said edge surfaces presented counter to thedirection of chain travel for the direct exertion of driving force bythe sprocket teeth thereon being curved surfaces of equal radius and theexterior surfaces presented by the yoke elements being formed on ashorter radius, the said shorter -radius of the yoke elementsdiminishing at the base of each eye deletion of metal necessary to giveclearance within the link for the legs of the yoke embracing the eye.

ARTHUR L. LEE.

